Physicochemical characterizations of piroxicam-poloxamer solid dispersion

Revolutionizing Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: Innovative Self-Nano-Emulsifying Polyethylene Glycol Organogel of Curcumin for Effective Topical Delivery

In the current study, self-nano-emulsifying (SNE) physically cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) organogel (SNE-POG) as an innovative hybrid system was fabricated for topical delivery of water-insoluble and unstable bioactive compound curcumin (CUR). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Optimal Design was utilized to evaluate the formulation factors. Solid fiber mechanism with homogenization was used to prepare formulations. Pharmaceutical evaluation including rheological and texture analysis, their mathematical correlations besides physical and chemical stability experiments, DSC study, in vitro release, skin permeation behavior, and clinical evaluation were carried out to characterize and optimize the SNE-OGs. PEG 4000 as the main organogelator, Poloxamer 188 (Plx188) and Ethyl Cellulose (EC) as co-gelator/nanoemulsifier agents, and PEG 400 and glycerin as solvent/co-emulsifier agents could generate SNE-POGs in PS range of 356 to 1410 nm that indicated organic base percentage and PEG 4000 were the most detrimental variables. The optimized OG maintained CUR stable in room and accelerated temperatures and could release CUR sustainably up to 72 h achieving high flux of CUR through guinea pig skin. A double-blind clinical trial confirmed that pain scores, stiffness, and difficulty with physical function were remarkably diminished at the end of 8 weeks compared to the placebo (71.68% vs. 7.03%, 62.40% vs. 21.44%, and 45.54% vs. 8.66%, respectively) indicating very high efficiency of system for treating knee osteoarthritis. SNE-POGs show great potential as a new topical drug delivery system for water-insoluble and unstable drugs like CUR that could offer a safe and effective alternative to conventional topical drug delivery system.

Ex vivo study of detergent-assisted intraosseous bone wash treatment of osteonecrosis

Avascular necrosis (AVN) involves ischemic cell death of the bone. AVN leaves an abundance of necrotic lipids and debris in the bone marrow, which instigates inflammatory bone repair. Consequently, the necrotic bone microenvironment stimulates excessive bone resorption, leading to joint deformities and osteoarthritis. Here, we performed a detergent-assisted bone wash using poloxamer 407 (P407) to clean the necrotic bone environment by removing lipids and necrotic debris. The new concept was tested using an established ex vivo AVN model of porcine cadaver humeral heads. The P407 wash was performed using P407 solution and followed with saline via two intraosseous needles. Visual inspection and image analyses of average pixel light intensity showed that the P407 wash produced a better-cleaned bone than the saline wash. Analyses of the collected bone wash solution showed a two-fold increase in triglycerides (101 vs. 53 mmol/head, p = 0.006) and a 10-fold increase in the dry weight of the removed debris (1.34 vs. 0.13 g/head, p = 0.02) with the P407 wash compared to saline. The histological evaluation showed significantly decreased Oil-Red-O (fats) staining in the P407-washed bone compared with the saline-washed bone. The in vitro assays of Alizarin red and qPCR showed the P407 wash neither altered the osteogenic behaviors of porcine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (pBMMCs) nor raised inflammatory responses of porcine bone marrow-derived macrophages (pBMMs). In conclusion, detergent-assisted bone wash using P407 produced a better removal of nonsoluble debris from the bone marrow space than the saline wash without causing changes to osteogenesis or inflammatory reactions.

Preparation of Curcumin-Eudragit® E PO Solid Dispersions with Gradient Temperature through Hot-Melt Extrusion

Hot-melt extrusion (HME) has great advantages for the preparation of solid dispersion (SD), for instance, it does not require any organic solvents. Nevertheless, its application to high-melting-point and thermosensitive drugs has been rarely reported. In this study, thermally unstable curcumin (Cur) was used as a drug model. The HME process was systematically studied by adjusting the gradient temperature mode and residence time, with the content, crystallinity and dissolution of Cur as the investigated factors. The effects of barrel temperature, screw speed and cooling rate on HME were also examined. Solubility parameters and the Flory-Huggins method were used to evaluate the miscibility between Cur and carriers. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, equilibrium solubility and in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to characterize and evaluate the results. An amorphous Cur SD was successfully obtained, increasing the solubility and release of Cur. In the optimal process, the mass ratio of Cur to Eudragit® E PO (EPO) was 1:4 and the barrel temperature was set at a gradient heating mode (130 °C-135 °C-140 °C-145 °C-150 °C-155 °C-160 °C) at 100 rpm. Related pharmacokinetic test results also showed the improved bioavailability of the drug in rats. In a pharmacodynamic analysis of Sprague-Dawley rats, the Cmax and the bioavailability of the Cur-EPO SD were 2.6 and 1.5 times higher than those of Cur, respectively. The preparation of the amorphous SD not only provided more solubility but also improved the bioavailability of Cur, which provides an effective way to improve the bioavailability of BCS II drugs.

The Development and Optimization of Hot-Melt Extruded Amorphous Solid Dispersions Containing Rivaroxaban in Combination with Polymers

Rivaroxaban (RXB), a novel oral anticoagulant that directly inhibits factor Xa, is a poorly soluble drug belonging to Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II. In this study, a hot-melt extruded amorphous solid dispersion (HME-ASD) containing RXB is prepared by changing the drug:polymer ratio (Polyvinylpyrrolidione-vinyl acetate 64, 1:1–1:4) and barrel temperature (200–240 °C), fixed at 20% of Cremophor^® RH 40 and 15 rpm of the screw speed, using the hot-melt extruding technique. This study evaluates the solubility, dissolution behavior, and bioavailability for application to oral drug delivery and optimizes the formulation of rivaroxaban amorphous solid dispersion (RXB-ASD). Based on a central composite design, optimized RXB-ASD (PVP VA 64 ratio 1:4.1, barrel temperature 216.1 °C, Cremophor^® RH 40 20%, screw speed 15 rpm) showed satisfactory results for dependent variables. An in vitro drug dissolution study exhibited relatively high dissolution in four media and achieved around an 80% cumulative drug release in 120 min. Optimized RXB-ASD was stable under the accelerated condition for three months without a change in crystallinity and the dissolution rate. A pharmacokinetic study of RXB-ASD in rats showed that the absorption was markedly increased in terms of rate and amount, i.e., the systemic exposure values, compared to raw RXB powder. These results showed the application of quality by design (QbD) in the formulation development of hot-melt extruded RXB-ASD, which can be used as an oral drug delivery system by increasing the dissolution rate and bioavailability.

The Rheolaser Master™ and Kinexus Rotational Rheometer® to Evaluate the Influence of Topical Drug Delivery Systems on Rheological Features of Topical Poloxamer Gel

Poloxamer 407 copolymer is a versatile and widely used thermo-reversible material. Its use has many advantages, such as bio-adhesion, enhanced solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs and many applications fields like oral, rectal, topical, nasal drug administration. Hydrogels made up of Poloxamer 407 are characterized by specific rheological features, which are affected by temperature, concentration and presence of other compounds. A strategic approach in topical therapeutic treatments may be the inclusion of drug delivery systems, such as ethosomes, transfersomes and niosomes, into hydrogel poloxamer formulation. The evaluation of the interaction between colloidal carriers and the Poloxamer 407 hydrogel network is essential for a suitable design of an innovative topical dosage form. For this reason, the Rheolaser Master™, based on diffusing wave spectroscopy, and a Kinexus Rotational Rheometer were used to evaluate the influence of nanocarriers on the microrheological features of hydrogels. The advantages of the Rheolaser Master™ analyzer are: (i) its ability to determine viscoelastic parameter, without altering or destroying the sample and at rest (zero shear); (ii) possibility of aging analysis on the same sample. This study provide evidence that vesicular systems do not influence the rheological features of the gel, supporting the possibility to encapsulate an innovative system into a three-dimensional network.

Acoustic Cavitation-Assisted Formulation of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles using Different Stabilizers

Because of excellent bioavailability and high biocompatibility, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained attention in recent years, especially in drug delivery systems. SLNs are composed of a drug that is loaded in a lipid matrix and stabilized by surfactants. In this work, we have investigated the feasibility of the acoustic cavitation-assisted hot melt mixing method for the formulation of SLNs using different stabilizers. A lipid Compritol 888 ATO (CPT) and a poorly water-soluble drug ketoprofen (KP) were used as a model lipid and drug, respectively. Gelucire 50/13 (GEL), poloxamer 407 (POL), and Pluronic F-127 (PLU) were used as the stabilizers. The effect of the stabilizers on the physico-chemical properties of SLNs was thoroughly studied in this work. The particle size and stability in water at different temperatures were measured using a dynamic light scattering method. The spherical shape (below 250 nm) and core-shell morphology were confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The chemical, crystal, and thermal properties of SLNs were studied by FTIR, XRD analysis, and DSC, respectively. SLNs prepared using different stabilizers showed an encapsulation efficiency of nearly 90% and a drug loading efficiency of 12%. SLNs showed more than 90% of drug released in 72 h and increased with pH was confirmed using in vitro drug release studies. SLNs were nontoxic to raw 264.7 cells. All stabilizers were found suitable for acoustic cavitation-assisted SLN formulation with high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading and good biocompatibility.

A novel composition of ticagrelor by solid dispersion technique for increasing solubility and intestinal permeability

The aim of this study is to improve the bioavailability of ticagrelor, BCS class 4 drug, using solid dispersion technique, and to evaluate the potential of ticagrelor loaded-solid dispersion, as a new formulation. The solid dispersion formulation was prepared via solvent evaporation method using ethanol. TPGS and Neusilin® US2 selected via screening studies were used for preparing formulation. The results of scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction showed that the crystallinity of the ticagrelor was completely transformed to an amorphous form and maintained in the solid dispersion formulation. The released amount of the optimized solid dispersion significantly increased by 2.2- and 34-fold in comparison with physical mixture (Ticagrelor:TPGS:Neusilin® US2 = 1:2:2, w/w/w) and commercial product (Brilinta®) in distilled water at 90 min, respectively. The absorptive permeability was improved (1.4-fold) and the efflux ratio was decreased (0.45-fold) by formulation containing TPGS acting as a P-gp inhibitor compared to pure drug. The solid dispersion formulation improved the peak plasma concentration (C_max) and relative bioavailability compared to that of pure drug as 238.09 ± 25.96% and 219.78 ± 36.33%, respectively, after oral administration in rats. Thus, we successfully prepared the solid dispersion formulation for enhancing oral bioavailability of ticagrelor, and then this formulation would be recommended as a practical oral pharmaceutical product.

Mucosal Applications of Poloxamer 407-Based Hydrogels: An Overview

Poloxamer 407, also known by the trademark Pluronic^® F127, is a water-soluble, non-ionic triblock copolymer that is made up of a hydrophobic residue of polyoxypropylene (POP) between the two hydrophilic units of polyoxyethylene (POE). Poloxamer 407-based hydrogels exhibit an interesting reversible thermal characteristic. That is, they are liquid at room temperature, but they assume a gel form when administered at body temperature, which makes them attractive candidates as pharmaceutical drug carriers. These systems have been widely investigated in the development of mucoadhesive formulations because they do not irritate the mucosal membranes. Based on these mucoadhesive properties, a simple administration into a specific compartment should maintain the required drug concentration in situ for a prolonged period of time, decreasing the necessary dosages and side effects. Their main limitations are their modest mechanical strength and, notwithstanding their bioadhesive properties, their tendency to succumb to rapid elimination in physiological media. Various technological approaches have been investigated in the attempt to modulate these properties. This review focuses on the application of poloxamer 407-based hydrogels for mucosal drug delivery with particular attention being paid to the latest published works.

Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone-loaded Ethylene Oxide-Propylene Oxide Block Copolymer Thermosensitive Gel

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone on the thermosensitive properties of aqueous ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer (Lutrol^® F127) system. Due to the aqueous solubility enhancement and biocompatibility, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is an interesting solubilizer for the poorly water soluble drugs to be incorporated in the Lutrol^® F127 system. Effect of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone on physicochemical properties of Lutrol^® F127 system was investigated using appearance, pH, gelation, gel melting temperature and rheology. The antimicrobial activity of the thermosensitive N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone gel was also tested. Lower N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone amount (≤30%w/w) could shift the sol-gel transition to a lower temperature but the gel-sol transition was shifted to a higher temperature. Higher N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (≥40%w/w) could shift both sol-gel and gel-sol transitions of the system to a lower temperature. The amount of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone >60% w/w could reverse the phase of the Lutrol^® F127 system to non-newtonian flow at 4° and Newtonian flow at high temperature. Aqueous Lutrol^® F127 system containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone exhibited antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in a dose-dependent manner.

Enhanced bioavailability of a poorly water-soluble weakly basic compound using a combination approach of solubilization agents and precipitation inhibitors: a case study

Poorly water-soluble weakly basic compounds which are solubilized in gastric fluid are likely to precipitate after the solution empties from the stomach into the small intestine, leading to a low oral bioavailability. In this study, we reported an approach of combining solubilization agents and precipitation inhibitors to produce a supersaturated drug concentration and to prolong such a drug concentration for an extended period of time for an optimal absorption, thereby improving oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. A weakly basic compound from Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development was used as a model compound. A parallel microscreening precipitation method using 96-well plates and a TECAN robot was used to assess the precipitation of the tested compound in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), respectively, for lead solubilizing agents and precipitation inhibitors. The precipitation screening results showed vitamin E TPGS was an effective solubilizing agent and Pluronic F127 was a potent precipitation inhibitor for the tested compound. Interestingly, the combination of Pluronic F127 with vitamin E TPGS resulted in a synergistic effect in prolonging compound concentration upon dilution in SIF. In addition, HPMC E5 and Eudragit L100-55 were found to be effective precipitation inhibitors for the tested compounds in SGF. Furthermore, optimization DOE study results suggested a formulation sweet spot comprising HPMC, Eudragit L 100-55, vitamin E TPGS, and Pluronic F127. The lead formulation maintained the tested compound concentration at 300 μg/mL upon dilution in SIF, and more than 70% of the compound remained solubilized compared with the compound alone at <1 μg/mL of its concentration. Dosing of the solid dosage form predissolved in SGF in dogs resulted in 52% of oral bioavailability compared to 26% for the suspension control, a statistically significant increase (p = 0.002). The enhanced oral bioavailability of the tested compound could be attributed to generation and prolongation of a supersaturated drug concentration in vivo by the solubilizing agents and precipitation inhibitors. The study demonstrates that the combination approach of solubilization agents and precipitation inhibitors provides improved oral bioavailability for a poorly water-soluble weakly basic compound.

Effective antitumor activity of paclitaxel-loaded poly (epsilon-caprolactone)/pluronic F68 nanoparticles after intratumoral delivery into the murine breast cancer model

A paclitaxel-loaded poly (epsilon]-caprolactone)(PCL)/pluronic F68 (F68) nanoparticle formulation was prepared as an intratumoral delivery system to assess its potential for future neoadjuvant chemotherapy application in the treatment of breast cancer. Paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent evaporation method using the self-synthesized PCL/F68 compound. Prepared nanoparticles were spherical with a rough, porous surface. As described in our earlier study, F68 was incorporated into the PCL matrix as both a pore-forming agent and to enhance drug release from the particles. A murine breast cancer model has shown that when using equivalent paclitaxel doses, paclitaxel-loaded PCL/F68 nanoparticles administered by a single intratumoral injection were more efficient in impeding tumor development than conventional paclitaxel injections administered by multiple intraperitoneal injections. In conclusion, paclitaxel-loaded PCL/F68 nanoparticles can be delivered intratumorally and they effectively prevent tumor cell growth and establishment in a localized area. This treatment shows promise as a future neoadjuvant chemotherapy application in the treatment of breast cancer.

Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Piroxicam in Rats by Hyaluronate Microspheres

To enhance the dissolution and oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble piroxicam, the piroxicam-loaded hyaluronic microspheres were prepared with various ratios of piroxicam, sodium hyaluronate and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) using a spray dryer, and their physicochemical properties such as shape, size, drug-loading efficiency and dissolution were investigated. The pharmacokinetic study of piroxicam-loaded hyaluronic micropheres in rats was then performed compared to piroxicam powder. The piroxicam-loaded hyaluronic microspheres, spherical in shape, had the geometric mean diameters of about 1.5 microm and drug loading efficiency of about 90%, irrespective of ratio of piroxicam/sodium hyaluronate/PEG. The hyaluronic microspheres containing PEG gave significantly higher dissolution rates of drug than did piroxicam powder, PEG-based solid dispersion system and hyaluronic microspheres without PEG, suggesting that the hyaluronic microsphere with sodium hyaluronate and PEG was more useful for improving the dissolution rate of poorly water soluble piroxicam. The piroxicam-loaded hyaluronic microcapsule composed of (piroxicam/sodium hyaluronate/PEG; 2: 20: 1) gave about threefold improved dissolution of drug in water for 4 h compared to piroxicam powder. It showed higher plasma concentrations of drug compared to piroxicam powder. It gave significantly higher AUC and faster Tmax of piroxicam than did piroxicam powder. In particular, the AUC of piroxicam from hyaluronic microsphere was about twofold higher than that from piroxicam powder, suggesting that it could enhance the oral bioavailability of piroxicam. Thus, the hyaluronic microsphere developed using spray-drying technique with sodium hyaluronate and PEG was a more effective oral dosage form for poorly water soluble piroxicam.

Preparation and Characterization of Solid Dispersions of Piroxicam with Hydrophilic Carriers

The objective of this study was to improve the dissolution rate of a poor water soluble drug, piroxicam, by solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions were prepared by three different methods depending on the type of carrier. The dissolution rate of piroxicam was markedly increased in solid dispersion of myrj 52, Eudragit E100 and mannitol. Solubility studies revealed a marked increase in the solubility of piroxicam with an increase in myrj 52 and Eudragit E100 concentrations. Data from the X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that piroxicam was amorphous in the solid dispersions prepared with dextrin and Eudragit E100.

A review of poloxamer 407 pharmaceutical and pharmacological characteristics

Poloxamer 407 copolymer (ethylene oxide and propylene oxide blocks) shows thermoreversible properties, which is of the utmost interest in optimising drug formulation (fluid state at room temperature facilitating administration and gel state above sol-gel transition temperature at body temperature promoting prolonged release of pharmacological agents). Pharmaceutical evaluation consists in determining the rheological behaviour (flow curve or oscillatory studies), sol-gel transition temperature, in vitro drug release using either synthetic or physiological membrane and (bio)adhesion characteristics. Poloxamer 407 formulations led to enhanced solubilisation of poorly water-soluble drugs and prolonged release profile for many galenic applications (e.g., oral, rectal, topical, ophthalmic, nasal and injectable preparations) but did not clearly show any relevant advantages when used alone. Combination with other excipients like Poloxamer 188 or mucoadhesive polymers promotes Poloxamer 407 action by optimising sol-gel transition temperature or increasing bioadhesive properties. Inclusion of liposomes or micro(nano)particles in Poloxamer 407 formulations offers interesting prospects, as well. Besides these promising data, Poloxamer 407 has been held responsible for lipidic profile alteration and possible renal toxicity, which compromises its development for parenteral applications. In addition, new findings have demonstrated immuno-modulation and cytotoxicity-promoting properties of Poloxamer 407 revealing significant pharmacological interest and, hence, human trials are in progress to specify these potential applications.

A biodegradable levonorgestrel-releasing implant made of PCL/F68 compound as tested in rats and dogs

PURPOSE

Our objective was to report preclinical studies on a biodegradable long-acting contraceptive implant.

METHODS

A poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/pluronic F68 (F68) compound was used to construct an implant, which was filled with dry levonorgestrel (LNG) powder (PCL/F68/LNG). LNG release rate, contraceptive efficacy and polymer degradation were evaluated in rats and followed for 2 years. A 2-year toxicity study was conducted in dogs.

RESULTS

The in vitro and in vivo release of LNG from the implant followed zero-order release kinetics. Serum LNG level in rats was very stable during the 2-year period. Studies on polymer degradation indicated that the molecular weight of PCL dropped from 66,000 to 15,000 Da, but the implant was still in good shape by the end of 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Toxicological study demonstrated that the PCL/F68 polymer had no adverse effect in all aspects. The contraceptive efficacy in rats showed dose response. The implant was physically and chemically stable for up to 3 years in airproof aluminum foil packing at room temperature.

Enhancing the bioavailability of ABT-963 using solid dispersion containing Pluronic F-68

Solid dispersions using Pluronic F-68 as a carrier were studied for improving the dissolution and bioavailability of ABT-963, a poorly water-soluble compound. The solid dispersions were prepared either by evaporation of the ethanol solutions containing ABT-963 and Pluronic, or by cooling the hot melt of the drug in the carrier. The dispersions were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, and by constructing the melting point phase diagram. In vitro dissolution and in vivo oral bioavailability in fasted dogs were compared for the solid dispersion and a conventional IR capsule formulation. Results showed that, at a composition of approximately 7.5%, ABT-963 formed a eutectic mixture with Pluronic F-68. Both the drug and the polymer were crystalline in the solid dispersion with a wide range of composition of each component. The solid dispersion substantially increased the in vitro dissolution rate of ABT-963. Dosing of the dispersion to fasted dogs resulted in a significant increase of oral bioavailability compared with the conventional IR capsule formulation. These results show that solid dispersion is a promising approach for developing ABT-963 drug products.

Factors affecting incorporation of drug into solid solution with HPMCP during solvent change co-precipitation

Drug-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) mixtures were completely dissolved in acetone, and the resulting solution was added drop-wise into HCl(aq). Resulting co-precipitates were filtered, and then dried under vacuum at 45 degrees C, -800 mbar for 24 h. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and HPLC were used to detect and quantify different phases present in co-precipitates. A 1/8 factorial study followed by a circumscribed central composite (CCC) study of significant factors, were used to detect and quantify respectively, the effects that processing factors had on the percentage of drug present in co-precipitates which was incorporated into solid solution (the response). Robustness of the model obtained from the CCC study was tested. Statistically significant factors were found to be the percentage of drug added into solvent, stirrer speed, and antisolvent pH. The statistically significant mathematical model obtained from the CCC study predicted that the dominant factor influencing the response is the percentage of drug added into solvent. The effect of stirrer speed on the response includes a local maximum at stirrer speed approximately 700 rpm. Both stirrer speed and antisolvent pH showed interactions with the percentage of drug added into solvent. The model obtained from this study indicated the possibility of two opposing phenomena influencing the response: crystallization inhibition by HPMCP, and solvent-antisolvent plasticization. Testing of this model using eight experimentally determined points showed reasonable robustness, with six out of eight points lying inside 95% prediction intervals.

Sensitive LC determination of piroxicam after in vitro transdermal permeation studies

A direct, very sensitive, simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of piroxicam, with tenoxicam as internal standard, has been developed and validated. Samples were chromatographed on a 5 microm Scharlau C(18) column. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile-acetic acid 4% (pH 2.8) (45:55, v/v). Detection was at 354 nm and the run time was 7 min. The limit of detection was 0.025 microg/ml. The detector response was found to be linear in the concentration range 0.05-9 microg/ml. This HPLC assay has been applied to measure the 'in vitro' percutaneous permeation of piroxicam through abdominal hairless rat skin, using Franz-type diffusion cells, in order to obtain the concentration-time profiles of piroxicam.

Effects of non-ionic surfactants as permeation enhancers towards piroxicam from the poloxamer gel through rat skins

The enhancing effects of non-ionic surfactants on the permeation of piroxicam from the poloxamer gels were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells fitted with excised rat skins. The effectiveness of penetration enhancers, the ratio of piroxicam flux in the presence or absence of enhancers, was defined as the enhancement factor. Among the various non-ionic surfactants tested, polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether showed the highest enhancing effects with an enhancement factor of 2.84. To elucidate the mechanisms of the action of enhancers, thermal analysis and histological examinations were carried out. Thermal analysis reveals that various surfactants have different fluidizing effects on stratum corneum. Skin pretreated with the poloxamer 407 gels containing various surfactants showed a loosely layered stratum corneum and wide intercellular space.

Effect of water-soluble carriers on dissolution characteristics of nifedipine solid dispersions

Solid dispersions of nifedipine (NP) with polyethylene glycols (PEG4000 and PEG6000), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD), and poloxamer 407 (PXM 407) in four mixing ratios were prepared by melting, solvent, and kneading methods in order to improve the dissolution of NP. The enhancement of the dissolution rate and the time for 80% NP dissolution T80% depended on the mixing ratio and the preparation method. The highest dissolution rate and the T80% as short as 15 min were obtained from PXM 407 solid dispersion prepared by the melting method at the mixing ratio of 1:10. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of solid dispersions at higher proportions of carriers demonstrated consistent with the results from differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) thermograms that NP existed in the amorphous state. The wettability and solubility were markedly improved in the PXM 407 system. The presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between NP and PEGs and between HP beta CD and PXM 407 was shown by infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

Enhancing effects of fatty acids on piroxicam permeation through rat skins

To increase the skin permeation of piroxicam from the Poloxamer 407 gel, fatty acid was added as a penetration enhancer to the Poloxamer 407 gel containing 1% piroxicam. The enhancing effects of the enhancer on the skin permeation of piroxicam were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells fitted with intact excised rat skins. To elucidate the modes of the action of enhancers, thermal analysis and histological examinations were conducted. Among fatty acids tested, linoleic acid showed the highest enhancing effects, with an enhancement factor (EF) of 1.76. From the thermal analysis results, fatty acids have fluidizing effects on the stratum corneum. The skin pretreated with the Poloxamer 407 gels containing piroxicam including linoleic acid showed a loosely layered stratum corneum and wide intercellular space.